The Duke's Bride (The Radcliffe Family Book 1)

by Lindsay Downs

  He wondered where that thought came from. Of course she was his Emma, he admitted to himself. Even when he’d asked her to marry him he’d not had those words in his mind, but now he couldn’t get rid of them, much to his pleasure.

  As they approached the stable yard, he saw Richmond strolling out. Behind him, a groom led Marigold.

  “Good afternoon, Your Grace, Lady Emma. Such a fine day for a little riding, isn’t it?”

  “Yes, it is. I do have a question for you Richmond,” Simon uttered.

  “Let’s first get m’ lady in the saddle so she can bend and stretch Marigold before Her Ladyship continues the schoolings,” the stable master said.

  With ease, Simon lifted Emma onto the saddle. He grinned on seeing her cheeks turn a pale pink.

  “I love the effect I continue to have on you, my dear,” he whispered.

  “Oh, you are so impossible,” she spoke back in the same low voice.

  Carefully, so not to cause her too much distress, he patted her hand, again seeing her breath hitch. If he didn’t know better, depending on the situation and where they were, he could easily addle her. Not wishing to continue this particular discussion, he stepped back and bowed mockingly.

  “Yes. I know. Now, you go warm her up while Richmond and I talk, and don’t worry I’ll be watching you.”

  With his stable master at his side, Simon followed Emma to the riding ring, and once she was in he thought about closing the gate behind her. At the last moment he decided against it in case something untoward, such as a rifle shot, happened.

  Resting a foot on the bottom rail, he leaned forward and settled his arms on the top one. Even with his attention focused on her, he knew Richmond was standing beside him.

  “I can tell from your expression you wish to ask me something?”

  Simon cocked his head to Richmond.

  “Yes. As you said yesterday, I can gallop Mars over fences. Not to mention into rifle and cannon fire. Can he be taught to do what Marigold does, that is dressage?”

  “He’s not too old to learn. Do you know how to get him collected, like m’ lady, is doing with Marigold?”

  Simon followed Richmond’s hand to where he was pointing, and saw the mare doing what the man had described. Emma trotted Marigold with an elevated stride with a pause between putting her hooves down.

  Simon studied them. Yes, he thought, horse and rider in perfect harmony.

  “I’d hate to admit it, but I can’t, so my next question, can Mars handle a side saddle or will he become upset?”

  “I have no idea. To be honest, I wouldn’t want to put one on and try riding him. Don’t forget the balance is slightly different with the rider hanging both legs on the same side. In the past, when we obtained a mare I wanted her unbroken. That way she could be trained to a side saddle.”

  Disappointed that Mars couldn’t be taught even a few basic dressage movements, Simon settled his head on his forearms.

  “You do know Lady Emma can ride astride?”

  Simon snapped his head up and spun around, coming face to face with his mother.

  “No, I didn’t, but somehow I’m not surprised as she continues to amaze me.”

  “Your Grace, forgive me for not acknowledging you,” Richmond sputtered.

  “Oh stop that, you old fool. Since when have you ever followed proper protocol?” Laura teased.

  Simon was about to comment when a strong nudge against his back sent him forward a few steps. Giggles followed.

  “Don’t you know you should never turn your back to a well-trained horse,” Emma goaded.

  “Especially when being ridden by her. I’ve never seen someone handle a horse the way you do, Lady Emma. We also might have another one for you to try your hand at,” Laura declared.

  Glancing up to meet Emma’s gaze, Simon noticed how they brightened as if she knew which horse his mother was talking about. He did know if she agreed to ride his beast that would create a stir amongst the stable staff. Never had any of them seen a lady ride astride much less attempt to sit his beast.

  “Lady Emma, as it would seem you’re done for the day let me get a groom to take Marigold from you,” Richmond stated.

  “Would you mind if I gave her a brushing? She did so well, she deserves having me take care of her,” Emma told him.

  Somehow Simon wasn’t stunned by her request and wondered what Richmond’s answer would be.

  “As you wish, but I should warn you her normal groom might take umbrage.”

  “Then he’ll just have to get used to me looking after Marigold,” she stated firmly.

  Simon waited until Emma brought her mare out of the ring, stepped up, and after making sure her foot was free of the stirrup, lifted her down, again getting the same reaction from her as before.

  Minutes later, Simon leaned against the mare’s stall door, enamoured by the skilled way Emma brushed her horse and constantly whispered to her. He waited until she finished, then secured the door behind her. Together they met up with his mother at the barn’s entrance.

  With a lady on each side, which he loved, Simon guided them to the palace and the first floor.

  “If you’ll excuse me, I need to change and wash up. I’ll join you where?”

  “My parlor,” Laura told her.

  Entering her suite, she was met by Abby.

  “Did you remember to pack my riding britches and long skirt? It seems I will be riding Mars and attempting to teach the beast a few dressage moves.”

  “Are congratulations or condolences in order, and yes, m’ lady, they are in your armoire, hidden in the back.”

  “Perfect, now help me out of my habit so I can wash up. I’ll wear the dark-green day dress.”

  Later, Emma glided into the duchess’ parlor and the start of an interesting next few days.

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  Clenching and unclenching her hands in exasperation, Emma marched down the corridor to the duchess’ parlor. Hearing the clump-clump of boots only increased her anger. Storming in, she saw Laura was sitting on the settee wearing a frown.

  A loud thud let her know the door she’d attempted to slam shut had hit something, hopefully someone, namely Simon.

  “I have never met a more stubborn, hard-headed, and difficult man in my life. And to think I actually agreed to marry him. Has he always been this obstinate? Everything I’ve taught him and that thing he rides over the past three days must have gone in one ear and out the other. He can’t even take the simplest direction. I tell him to use his calf on Mars’s side. What does he do? Presses his whole leg against his beast which pushed the horse across the ring with no forward motion,” Emma blurted out. “I hope the door knocked some sense into him.”

  “Yes, I know he can be frustrating at times. Winston was so worried about you and Simon that he came and told me. I started over to the riding ring but decided it was best if I stayed away. I did have the man bring up a sherry knowing you’d need it.”

  Emma accepted the glass and in a very unladylike act drank half before dropping onto the settee beside the duchess. She did her best to ignore the knocking on the door, but finally it got the best of her.

  “Laura, for fear of slapping him would you be so kind as to send him away? At least until I’ve calmed.”

  “My pleasure.”

  “Thank you.”

  From where she sat Emma watched Laura open the door just enough to speak to the person on the other side, Simon she knew from the voice.

  “You are dismissed until we call for you. Do I make myself clear?” Emma heard Laura tell him.

  “Yes, but I’m not solely to blame. I tried to follow Emma’s directions but got confused.”

  “What was so difficult about it? Press the right calf, not leg, gently against Mars’s barrel and the horse goes left while using the other leg to help maintain forward motion,” Emma called out.

  Feeling her frustration mount, she grabbed a throw pillow and did just that, threw it across the room. Fortunatel
y, the only thing it hit was the opposite wall and then it fell harmlessly to the floor. She waited until her future mother-in-law returned to her side, a smile brightening her face.

  Emma’s anger, and her annoyance with his riding ability had been planned from the beginning by her and his mother.

  Over the past few days Emma had noticed an increase in his exasperation on learning Beaumont and the woman had stayed in or around the hut. She knew, to take his mind off them she needed to create a diversion, thus releasing his pent-up anger. Not so much at her but himself. And from the outburst coming from the other side of the door she’d succeeded.

  Not wishing to hurt him anymore, when his mother glanced back at her she nodded to let him enter.

  Emma waited until he was inside then pointed to the chair across from her.

  “Simon, do you feel better for having vented your anger at me?” she calmly asked.

  “A little but…”

  “We did all this for you. Your mother and I had noticed an increase in your frustration over the past few days for not doing anything except staying hidden, sort of, away. If you didn’t release your vexation, we both felt you might do something dangerous. I do apologize for treating you as I did earlier, but our idea seems to have worked, at least for now,” Emma told him, explaining her actions.

  She studied him and his reaction to what she’d said as he digested her words. Not until she saw his shoulders relax did she know their plan had worked.

  “How long have I been like this?”

  “Son, we noticed it the other day when you returned from visiting the tenants.

  Emma couldn’t help noticing Simon kept glancing down at the table between them. She knew he must have been wondering why all the different fashion plates were spread about. Right now, she wasn’t sure if he was in the right frame of mind to take in what they were for. From the last group delivered earlier by Celia, so she and Guy could spend a few minutes together under the watchful glare of Mrs. Lee, who’d appointed herself to be their chaperone, she was close to choosing the perfect gown for their wedding.

  “Emma, tell me how badly was my riding today? For the first time I felt more comfortable.”

  “Quite well, actually. We still need to work on getting Mars to move forward, but that will come in time. Mayhap tomorrow, as we’ll be on wider paths while making tenant calls, you can practice. After all, wasn’t dressage originally created for war horses?”

  “That’s true, but it’s not used so much now as we tend to charge the position in an attempt to overrun the enemy. Let me ask you this, how would I use the half-pass in battle?”

  She was about to answer when she noticed Winston standing in the doorway.

  “Yes,” Simon snapped out.

  She was pleased Simon wanted to learn more about dressage and the intricacies of riding, something he’d never experienced before.

  “Your Grace, a large coach is coming down the drive. From the report I just received, it carries your emblem on the door.”

  Emma wanted to scream with happiness because she knew who it was carrying, her mother, and a day early at that.

  “Make sure Mrs. Lee is in the foyer to show Lady Sarah to her suite, and have hot water sent up directly,” Laura ordered.

  It came as no surprise to Emma that the duchess had taken charge.

  “Shall we adjourn to greet your mother, Emma?” Simon suggested.

  “Your really are impossible. Of course I wish to be on the front stoop when she steps from the carriage.”

  She was happy Simon didn’t say anything but stood and offered his arm, which she gracefully accepted. Following Laura, they descended to the ground floor and stepped outside in time for her to see the carriage pass under the courtyard arch. From the smoothness of the way it was handled, Emma knew Coachman and Hubert were in the box.

  “Emma, a duchess doesn’t go to the arriving guest except when they are family. Let Simon escort you to Sarah. Then, with linked arms bring her here so we are able to renew our friendship. Once that’s done, take her in and introduce her to Mrs. Lee, who will take over,” Laura whispered.

  She waited until the coach came to a gentle stop several feet from the steps then let Simon escort her down. Standing to the side, Emma waited until he opened the carriage door and reached in and aided her mother to the ground.

  Even though Emma wanted to say something, even a simple welcome, the emotion of finally seeing her mother after all these months overwhelmed her. Her eyes filled with tears, and she tried to keep them at bay but was unsuccessful. Rushing forward, she hugged her mother and was happy when it was returned.

  After a few moments, a gentle touch came on her arm, then a handkerchief was placed in her hand. Separating from her mother, she patted the tears away then turned to Simon.

  “Lady Sarah Carringham, may I present Simon, The Duke of Kettering.”

  “Your Grace,” Sarah said, giving him a deep curtsey.

  “It’s a great pleasure to meet you, Lady Sarah,” Simon replied.

  What Emma found interesting almost to the point she wanted to titter was how nervous Simon seemed to be in the presence of her mother.

  “Come, allow me to introduce you to Her Grace,” Emma declared.

  Not waiting for Simon, she slipped an arm around her mother’s waist and steered her up the marble steps to Laura.

  “Lady Sarah, it’s such a great pleasure to see you after all these years. I’m so sorry for your loss, but I pray you found your new home comfortable.”

  “I can’t thank you enough, for letting me live at the Crossingham estate. Even though I’ve only been there a very short while, I’m already loving the peace and quiet it provides.”

  “You must be tired and in need of refreshing yourself.”

  Emma knew this was her cue to step in and escort her mother to Mrs. Lee. Once introductions were made, she waited until her mother had reached the first floor landing before turning to Laura.

  “Shall we retire to your parlor as we have much to discuss, considering the recent events,” Emma suggested.

  “Yes. I would say we shouldn’t keep anything from Lady Sarah. If I remember correctly, she can and will see through any falsehoods we present. It will be best to lay all the facts, as we know them, out to her,” Laura told them.

  As much as she wished to disagree with the duchess, Emma knew the woman was correct. Many times growing up, her mother had seen through a story and sent Emma to her room for punishment.

  “If that’s the case then we might want to have a sherry available for her,” Simon said.

  “I expect she won’t be any longer than thirty minutes. Mother will also wish to know how and where we met. Don’t forget, I came here after coming out of mourning for father so I never had a Season.”

  Trying not to smile, she remembered not so much the first but second reaction when she had seen Simon at the ducal desk. If she wasn’t mistaken her mother would get a good chuckle out of hearing all the details. Another topic that needed discussing was the marriage contract which she’d not seen yet but knew Laura had talked to Simon about.

  Turning to him, she gave him her best and sweetest, so she hoped, smile.

  “Our mothers along with myself have several matters which would best be discussed without a gentleman present. After we explain the dangers, you may make your excuses and leave. I’m sure you have things to do in your office,” Emma directed.

  “That works for me. All I ask is that you try not to send me to debtor’s prison,” Simon pleaded.

  “Of course not, Son. You might end up having a few debt collectors pounding on the door though,” his mother teasingly added.

  “All right, ladies, I surrender and will find something to do after we talk with Sarah.”

  After ringing for the butler, Emma collected the fashion plates up as she didn’t want her mother distracted. Setting them on a bookshelf she took a seat on the settee.

  “With mother here we might have to curtail our riding
lessons as she’ll want to see the estate and I’m sure visit the village.”

  “In particular the dressmaker,” Sarah announced as she swept in.

  Emma wondered how her mother knew where the room was. To the best of her knowledge, this was the first time her mother had paid a visit to the estate. She waited while Simon stepped up to Sarah, offered his arm and guided her to a richly embroidered chair beside his mother.

  “Your Grace, the suite you have for me is absolutely marvelous. I love the rich blues mixed with lighter tones. The colors make the room seem larger than it is, and the view looking out over the gardens is breath taking.”

  “Laura, mayhap later if mother isn’t too upset we can give her a little tour of some of the flower beds, that is if Simon has no objection,” Emma said.

  Emma heard her mother gasp and guessed why, she was referring to the duchess and Simon by their Christian names.

  “Sarah, Emma didn’t do anything incorrect. Here, in this room along with my son’s office, we have dispensed with formality. That is if staff aren’t within earshot. We’ve found it keeps conversation moving along smoothly,” Laura explained.

  “If I may?” Emma asked. On receiving a nod from Simon she started.

  “I’m sorry for springing this on you, but as there’s no easy way to say it, someone and we know the name of at least one of them, is trying to kill Simon and me. So far they’ve tried twice and thankfully failed.”

  She watched as her mother sat quietly, absorbing what she’d just learned. Emma was quite surprised when her mother didn’t get the vapors, or run screaming into the hall.

  “Sarah, are you all right?” Laura asked.

  “Yes, and I knew something like this would happen someday. Am I correct the man who’s hunting you both is Justin Beaumont? If he is, the other would be his half-sister Katell. Justin is the bastard son of Philip born to Capucine Beaumont. The woman enceinte, with her father, fled to New Orleans where they were accepted into society. Capucine then had an unfortunate romance with a man and she with Justin fled to Quebec where the girl was born.”